Needle feed mechanism for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A needle feed mechanism for automatic sewing machines replaces the standard needle holding assembly of a machine and includes means for storing a plurality of needles and for feeding a stored needle into an operating position during a needle replacement.

United States Patent Kellard 151 3,682,120 [4 1 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] NEEDLE FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES [72] Inventor: Juliet Kellard, 327 West Olympic Place, Seattle, Wash. 98100 221 Filed: Jan. 18,1971

211 Appl.No.: 107,091

US. Cl. ..1l2/2l8 R [58] Field ofSearch ..ll2/218 R, 221,226, 227; 7/15', 145/63, 64, 61 J, 50; 81/177 M, 177 N; 30/1648, 163, 366

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,576 7/1892 Diehl ..l12l221 1,816,812 8/1931 AIIISOI'I ..l45/63 3,385,247 5/1968 Johsnon et a1. ..1 12/218 R 3,397,659 8/1968 Samuels 1 12/218 R Primary Examiner-11. Hampton Hunter Attorney-Lyon & Lyon 57] ABSTRACT A needle feed mechanism for automatic sewing machines replaces the standard needle holding assembly of a machine and includes means for storing a plurality of needles and for feeding a stored needle into an operating position during a needle replacement.

locm wnwin n um PATENTED AUG 8 I972 INVENTOR .JZ/L/ 7 16 4 M/QZJ I BY NEEDLE FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES This invention relates to a sewing machine improveoperable machine and therefore it is important to minimize the time required to set up or repair a machine. One of the most common breakdowns encountered during operation of the machines involves the damaging or breaking of the needle which requires stopping the machine, removing the damaged needle, locating a new needle, and properly mounting the new needle onto the machine. Aside from the time loss encountered during the replacement of the needle, the present method of replacement frequently causes minor injuries to the operators who accidentally jab themselves during manipulation of the needle.

Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a mechanism which will simplify and reduce the time required for replacement of the needles and which will substantially avoid manipulation of the needle by the operator during replacement.

Garment manufacturers, because of their present investment in their existing machinery, are reluctant to use any new mechanism which would require a modification of the standard components of the machines. Therefore, in accordance with the above object, it is a further object of this invention to provide a needle feed mechanism which will merely replace an existing component of a standard machine without necessitating a modification of any of the other existing components of the machine.

In order to accomplish these and other objects the present invention briefly includes an elongated member which is adapted to extend upwardly within the housing of the machine and be secured to the machine drive mechanism in the manner of the bar of the standard needle holding assembly. The elongated member defines a chamber which extends the length thereof and includes a cap at the upper end which is within the machine housing and needle mounting means at the other end which extends beyond and below the machine housing. The chamber is adapted to house a plurality of needles with the lowermost needle in the chamber positioned in alignment with the needle mounting means.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made readily apparent by the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmented perspective view of the machine housing illustrating the needle moving elements and the mounting of the needle feed mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in section of the needle feed mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the needle storing chamber.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the needle feed mechanism, generally designated 10, is adapted to replace a conventional needle bar which is connected to the drive mechanism of the machine and reciprocated up and down during operation of the machine. The needle feed mechanism 10 is attached to the sewing machine, generally designated 1 l, in exactly the same manner as a conventional needle bar. The needle feed mechanism includes an elongated cylindrical bar 12 which is secured to the drive mechanism 13 by a collar and screw assembly 14 and during operation is reciprocated up and down by the drive mechanism 13. The needle feed mechanism 10 is positioned adjacent and parallel to the foot assembly 15 of the machine which can be raised or lowered to provide the desired tension on the material. The lower end of both the needle feed mechanism 10 and the foot assembly 15 extend downwardly beyond a face plate 16 which on most machines is hingedly mounted to provide access to the upper portion of the foot assembly 15 and the upper portion of the needle bar which in the present instance has been replaced by the needle feed mechanism 10.

The elongated bar 12 of the needle feed mechanism 10 defines a storage chamber 17 extending the length thereof which is semi-circular in cross-section. The upper end of the elongated bar 12 is provided with a removable cap 18 enclosing the upper end of the chamber 17 and the lower end of the elongated bar 12 includes a needle clamp assembly, generally designated 19. The clamp assembly 19 includes a central bore, indicated by the dotted lines 20, which in cross-section is the same size and shape as the chamber 17 and which is in parallel alignment with the chamber 17. The clamp assembly 19 also includes a clamp screw 21 which is adapted to extend into the bore 20 at the flat side 22 of the bore. The chamber 17 is adapted to store a plurality of needles 23 in a stacked relationship one on top of another, with the lower end of the lowermost needle in the'chamber contacting the upper end of an operating needle held in place in the needle clamp assembly 19 by the clamp screw 21. The upper end of the uppermost needle in the chamber 17 is engaged by a spring 24 extending downwardly from the cap 18. The spring 24 provides a downward force on the needles 23 in the chamber 17 to prevent movement of the needles during operation of the machine 11 and reciprocation of the bar 12.

The enlarged end portion of each needle 23 corresponds in cross-sectional shape to both the chamber 17 and the bore 20. The flat surface of the enlarged end portion is adapted to be engaged by the needle clamp screw 21 and thus the flat side 25 of the chamber 17 which is in alignment with the flat side 22 if the bore properly orients each needle 23 in the chamber for mounting in the clamp assembly 19.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified form of the invention which is identical to the previously described embodiment except that the elongated bar 12 of the modification includes a narrow slot 26 which extends radially out from the chamber 17 and which extends longitudinally the length of the bar 12. The slot 26 permits a visual inspection of the chamber 17 when the face plate 16 is swung open so that the operator can determine the number of needles 23 present within the chamber 17.

Whenever it is necessary to replace a needle, the bar 12 is raised to its highest position by turning the hand wheel (not shown) of the machine 11 and the clamp screw 21 holding the operating needle is loosened to permit removal of the operating needle. Upon removal of the operating needle the lowermost needle in the chamber 17 is automatically advanced into the clamp assembly 19 in the proper orientation. The clamp screw 2 1 is then tightened and the machine is ready for operation.

The present invention .increases the productive operating time of a sewing machine by substantially reducing the time required to replace a broken or otherwise damaged needle in the machine. The invention also provides a convenient storage chamber for surplus needles and eliminates certain manipulative efforts normally required of an operator during needle replacement.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles comprising:

an elongated needle bar member defining a chamber which extends the length thereof, said chamber being adapted to store a plurality of sewing machine needles;

a removable cap at the upper end of said elongated member enclosing the upper end of said chamber; and

a clamp assembly at the other lower end of said elongated member being adapted to mount a sewing machine needle in an operative position, said clamp assembly including a bore in axial alignment with said chamber whereby the lowermost needle in said chamber moves into a mounting position in said clamp assembly when a previously mounted needle is removed from said clamp assembly.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said chamber is provided with a guide surface, said guide surface adapted to properly orient the needles for mounting in said clamp assembly.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein biasing means are provided adjacent said cap and within said chamber, said biasing means adapted to engage said uppermost needle in said chamber and prevent movement of the needles in said chamber during operation of the sewing machine.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said chamber is provided with means for determining the number of needles remaining in said chamber.

5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said means comprises a narrow slot extending longitudinally the length of said elongated member and exposing the interior of said chamber.

6. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles of the type having an enlarged end with a flat lengthwise extending mounting surface, comprising:

an elongated needle bar defining a storage chamber extending the length thereof and being adapted to store a plurality of needles, a removable cap ena i ii i s efiifi iiiia r ii t hi ov l r end of said chamber for mounting a needle in an operative position; and

said chamber having a cross-section corresponding to the crosssection of the upper end of the needles for orienting the needles stored in said chamber whereby the removal of a mounted needle causes the lowermost needle in said chamber to advance to said clamp. assembly in a properly oriented mounting position.

7. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein said clamp assembly is provided with a bore positioned in axial alignment with said chamber and corresponding in crosssection to said chamber, said clamp assembly further including a clamp screw being adapted to extend into said bore and engage the flat mounting surface of a needle.

8. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles of the type having a conventional needle bar holding a needle and being connected to the machine drive mechanism for reciprocating movement during the operation of the machine, comprising:

an elongated needle bar member being adapted to replace the conventional needle bar and connectable to the machine drive mechanism, said elongated needle bar member defining a storage chamber extending the length thereof and being adapted to store a plurality of needles;

a removable cap enclosing the upper end of said chamber; and

clamp means adjacent the lower end of said chamber for mounting a needle in an operative position and adapted to receive the lowermost needle in said chamber during replacement of a previously mounted needle.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the needles are stored in said chamber between said cap and the mounted needle during operation of the machine and including spring means in said chamber for preventing movement of the stored needles in the chamber during operation of the machine.

10. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said chamber is provided with means for visually determing the number of needles in said chamber. 

1. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles comprising: an elongated needle bar member defining a chamber which extends the length thereof, said chamber being adapted to store a plurality of sewing machine needles; a removable cap at the upper end of said elongated member enclosing the upper end of said chamber; and a clamp assembly at the other lower end of said elongated member being adapted to mount a sewing machine needle in an operative position, said clamp assembly including a bore in axial alignment with said chamber whereby the lowermost needle in said chamber moves into a mounting position in said clamp assembly when a previously mounted needle is removed from said clamp assembly.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said chamber is provided with a guide surface, said guide surface adapted to properly orient the needles for mounting in said clamp assembly.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein biasing means are provided adjacent said cap and within said chamber, said biasing means adapted to engage said uppermost needle in said chamber and prevent movement of the needles in said chamber during operation of the sewing machine.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said chamber is provided with means for determining the number of needles remaining in said chamber.
 5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said means comprises a narrow slot extending longitudinally the length of said elongated member and exposing the interior of said chamber.
 6. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles of the type having an enlarged end with a flat lengthwise extending mounting surface, comprising: an elongated needle bar defining a storage chamber extending the length thereof and being adapted to store a plurality of needles, a removable cap enclosing the upper end of said chamber; a clamp assembly adjacent the lower end of said chamber for mounting a needle in an operative position; and said chamber having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the upper end of the needles for orienting the needles stored in said chamber whereby the removal of a mounted needle causes the lowermost needle in said chamber to advance to said clamp assembly in a properly oriented mounting position.
 7. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein said clamp assembly is provided with a bore positioned in axial alignment with said chamber and corresponding in cross-section to said chamber, said clamp assembly further including a clamp screw being adapted to extend into said bore and engage the flat mounting surface of a needle.
 8. A mechanism for feeding sewing machine needles of the type having a conventional needle bar holding a needle and being connected to the machine drive mechanism for reciprocating movement during the operation of the machine, comprising: an elongated needle bar member being adapted to replace the conventional needle bar and connectable to the machine drive mechanism, said elongated needle bar member defining a storage chamber extending the length thereof and being adapted to store a plurality of needles; a removable cap enclosing the upper end of said chamber; and clamp means adjacent the lower end of said chamber for mounting a needle in an operative position and adapted to receive the lowermost needle in said chamber during replacement of a previously mounted needle.
 9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the needles are stored in said chamber between said cap and the mounted needle during operation of the machine and including spring means in said chamber for preventing movement of the stored needles in the chamber during operation of the machine.
 10. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said chamber is provided with means for visually determing the number of needles in said chamber. 